Death toll rises to five following shootout between Cuban coast guard and Florida based speedboat

A fifth person has died following a deadly shootout between the Cuban coast guard and a U.S. flagged boat carrying weapons and ammunition near Havana.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 6, 2026, 8:44 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CBS/AFP

Fatalities and judicial proceedings

The Cuban Interior Ministry announced on Thursday that Roberto Alvarez Avila, a crew member of a Florida based speedboat, died on March 4 from injuries sustained during a February 25 shootout. This brings the total death toll to five. Prosecutors in Havana have formally filed terrorism charges against the surviving occupants of the vessel. The deadly encounter occurred when the Cuban coast guard intercepted the boat just one nautical mile from the island's shores to demand identification, at which point the crew allegedly initiated gunfire, prompting a lethal response from authorities.

Seizure of military grade hardware

According to official reports, the U.S. registered speedboat was found to be transporting a substantial arsenal intended for use on the island. Cuban officials displayed the recovered items in Havana, which included 14 rifles, 11 pistols, and approximately 13,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers. The presence of such a high volume of weaponry has fueled claims by the Cuban government that the group intended to provide arms to domestic elements in hopes of inciting a revolt against the communist administration.

International cooperation and vessel origin

The investigation into the incident is reportedly advancing with the assistance of United States authorities. The Cuban Interior Ministry stated that the two nations are engaging in evidence sharing and other joint investigative actions. While at least two of the individuals on board were identified as U.S. citizens—one of whom was killed in the initial exchange—the legal origin of the boat remains a point of scrutiny. An incident report from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office in Florida indicates that the boat’s owner alleged the vessel had been stolen by an employee prior to the mission.